Armed police patrol in central Bolivia strike pay
EFE
Government of Bolivia has decided to deploy the military to patrol the streets in the absence of police officers, who remain off work to press for their demands for higher wages , The Ministry of Defence.
A ministry statement said the armed forces to strengthen security in different cities, “in order to safeguard the welfare and safety of people.” Defense Minister Ruben Saavedra announced that the military police has doubled the number of soldiers patrolling major cities to prevent attacks against private property and excessive consumption of alcohol during the holidays San Juan.Advertising: The story continues below
“To fulfill this mission, the Army has increased the number of troops that protect citizens from 25 percent, areas that are responsible for protecting the Bolivian territory has doubled,” said the statement
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ordinary police file started the riot on Thursday to demand that President Evo Morales raised the salary scale to bring it into line with the armed forces.
Police officers said they earn $ A178 per month, while a soldier of the same rank are paid double.
Bolivia, one of the poorest countries in Latin America, has a minimum wage of $ A144 per month, while the average wage in 2011 was U.S. $ A546 per month. The police riot was at its worst, when hundreds of policemen and their wives looted a building that housed the intelligence division of the Court Disciplinary Police, the establishment of archives, computers and furniture on fire and destroying doors and windows. The military police marched on Friday to take over the Plaza Murillo where the presidential palace and Congress are, while the streets of La Paz have been without police protection and traffic control, making the banks and many stores closed early. leader of the government and the police had a preliminary meeting, which lasted until the early hours without positive results, even if another attempt to start a dialogue.
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